Why Choose an Independent Insurance Agent

Why Choose and Independent Insurance Agent?  In a day when you can buy almost anything you want over the phone, on sale, through the internet, at a discount, and without leaving home; convenience and price seem to be the major factors for Americans today when choosing products and services.  How many times have we purchased something for a special price only to find out that it was not what we really wanted nor what we really needed.  When it comes to Insurance many people have chosen the apparent convenience of 1-800 numbers, the internet, and discount insurance to find they get the same result and are not satisfied.  In day of "1-800" convenience and savings many people may ask, "Why Choose an Independent Insurance Agent?"  My answer is "Why not Choose an Independent Insurance Agent?".   

Most marketing professionals realize that the American consumer will buy anything once as long as it is easy and for the right price.  The challenge today is to have repeat customers return again and again.  As Independent agents we have many customers come back to us after leaving and they say "We thought we were getting the same thing for a better price."  Too often insurance is considered to be "one size fits all".  At Ottawa Kent we would like to remind everyone that "one size fits all" does not apply when it comes to buying insurance.  Not all customers have the same needs, and not all policies, companies, or even agents offer the same protection or service. At Ottawa Kent we treat the needs or exposures of our customers on an individual basis and recommend the coverage that best insures or protects those exposures at a competitive price.

Almost everyday I review people's insurance and answer their questions.  As the Operations Manager of Ottawa Kent Insurance, my job is to know what our companies provide and what the competition does not.   Comparing "Apples for Apples" in insurance has become a difficult task.   Many companies have chosen the "A La Cart" approach to insurance, which is to start with the basics and let the customer add on the options for a specified price.   This approach requires the customer to know more about insurance or have confidence in his or her agent.  Most of the companies we represent try to put together a better package for one competitive price.  We all know the package price is lower than the "A La Cart" price and therefore equates to more coverage at a lower cost.  

In my experience, the more a customer knows about insurance, the more likely he or she is going to choose an Independent Agent.  The informed customer knows his or her choices are not limited to one company's options or coverage.  As an Independent Agent we can select the coverage based on the customers individual exposures and match their needs with the company that would do the best job for the best value.  The informed customer also knows that as companies change their rates, they can switch companies without having to change agents.  Either way if you are forced to know more about insurance or to trust your agent, choosing an Independent Insurance Agent is a good answer.

One of the challenges of doing business in the 21st century will be the ease of doing business or convenience.  Customers want to do business fast and with as much ease as any other Insurance company.  As one that is responsible for the operations of an agency with two offices, I always have to be aware of what our customers want and what is in the best interest of the customer.  We try to implement practical changes and procedures that meets the needs of our customers.  Some of the things our office provides are listed below:  We have ...

°  an 800 number for customers that are out of town or on vacation.

°  information and email available on the internet.  
°  hours that work for our customers. 
°  night and weekend appointments for customers with busy schedules. 
°  take payments for the company in our office. 

°  provided an email newsletter to our personal customers.

°  offer a yearly review letters to our homeowner clients. 

°  two convenient locations that are easy to find. 

°  qualified personnel that are available to answer questions.

°  comparative rating for our both home and auto insurance.

We listen to the needs and requests of our customers.  Ottawa Kent Insurance has incorporated both technology and good service in order to meet the needs of our customers.  As an Independent Insurance Agent, we think the answer to the questions is logical and clear.  If you want service, convenience, cost saving advice, individual protection, and an agent you can trust, then we believe you too will choose an Independent Agent.   If you would like to talk with one of our representatives, please give us a call today.  

Article by Jon Nagelkirk, Operations Manager Ottawa Kent Insurance Agency.